scholarly journals Erythema Multiforme and COVID-19: What Do We Know?

Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (8) ◽  
pp. 828
Author(s):  
Luigi Bennardo ◽  
Steven Paul Nisticò ◽  
Stefano Dastoli ◽  
Eugenio Provenzano ◽  
Maddalena Napolitano ◽  
...  

(1) Background: Erythema multiforme (EM) is an acute cutaneous eruption often associated with infections and more rarely with drugs. This review aimed to evaluate the association between erythema multiforme and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). (2) Methods: A systematic search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Scimago Scopus, and ISI/Web of Science was performed. Original articles, case series, or case reports were evaluated and selected. (3) Results: Fourteen articles were selected, describing a total of 70 patients. EM is a cutaneous eruption rarely occurring in COVID-19 and is, in most cases, associated with a hypersensitivity reaction to the virus. In these cases, EM seems to affect patients younger than 30 years or older than 55 years. Infrequently, some drugs used in the management of COVID-19 may induce EM, especially hydroxychloroquine. The three groups of patients seem to have different clinical characteristics and courses. (4) Conclusions: From these data, it is possible to preliminarily propose that EM or EM-like eruptions linked to COVID-19 might be divided into three types: the virus-related juvenile type (affecting patients <30-year-old), the virus-related older type (affecting patients >55 years), and the drug-induced type. The occurrence of a skin rash does not seem to be related to the severity and clinical course of COVID-19.

2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (5) ◽  
pp. 523-536 ◽  
Author(s):  
Quyen T. Vo ◽  
Dennis F. Thompson

Objectives: The purpose of this article is to review the current literature on drug-induced thrombocytosis with the goal of critically assessing causality and providing a comprehensive review of the topic. Thrombopoietic growth factors, such as thrombopoietin-receptor agonists (romiplostim and eltrombopag) and erythropoietin are not included in our review. Data Sources: The literature search included published articles limited to the English language and humans in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases. MEDLINE/PubMed (1966 to September 2018) was searched using the MeSH terms thrombocytosis/chemically-induced and thrombocytosis/etiology. EMBASE (1980 to September 2018) was searched using the EMTAGS thrombocytosis/side effect. Web of Science (1970 to September 2018) was searched using the search term thrombocytosis. References of all relevant articles were reviewed for additional citations and information. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Review articles, clinical trials, background data, case series, and case reports of drug-induced thrombocytosis were collected, and case reports were assessed for causality using a modified Naranjo nomogram. Data Synthesis: Drug-induced thrombocytosis, a form of reactive thrombocytosis cannot be easily differentiated from more common etiologies of reactive thrombocytosis. In all, 43 case reports of drug-induced thrombocytosis from a wide variety of drugs and drug classes were reviewed using a modified Naranjo probability scale that included criteria specific for thrombocytosis. Conclusions: Drug-induced thrombocytosis is a relatively rare adverse drug reaction. The strongest evidence of causality supports low-molecular-weight heparins and neonatal drug withdrawal. Weaker evidence exists for all-trans retinoic acid, antibiotics, clozapine, epinephrine, gemcitabine, and vinca alkaloids.


2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (7) ◽  
pp. 662-672 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edna Patatanian ◽  
Melanie K. Claborn

Objective: To review the literature on drug-induced restless legs syndrome (DI-RLS). Data Sources: The review included a search for English-language literature from 1966 to December 2017 in the MEDLINE, PubMed, and Ovid databases using the following search terms: restless legs syndrome (RLS), periodic limb movement, adverse effects, and drug-induced. In addition, background articles on the pathophysiology, etiology, and epidemiology of RLS were retrieved. Bibliographies of relevant articles were reviewed for additional citations. Study Selection and Data Extraction: All case reports, case series, and review articles of DI-RLS were identified and analyzed. There were only a small number of controlled clinical trials, and most data were from case reports and case series. Results: Several drugs and drug classes have been implicated in DI-RLS, with antidepressants, antipsychotics, and antiepileptics having the most evidence. In addition, RLS may be linked with a number of disorders or underlying predisposing factors as well. Conclusions: The prevalence of RLS is variable and ranges from 3% to 19% in the general population. There are many predisposing factors to RLS, but an emerging body of evidence suggests that there is an association between numerous drugs and RLS.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huy Gia Vuong ◽  
Truong P.x. Nguyen ◽  
Hanh T.t. Ngo ◽  
Lewis Hassell ◽  
Kennichi Kakudo

Malignant thyroid teratoma (MTT) is a very rare thyroid malignancy. These neoplasms have been reported only in case reports and small-sized case series so far. In this study, we searched for MTTs in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Result (SEER) program during 1975-2016. Subsequently, we incorporated the SEER data with published MTT cases in the literature to analyze the characteristics and prognostic factors of MTTs. Integrated data were analyzed using Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test for categorical covariates, and t-test or Mann-Whitney test for continuous variables. We included 28 studies with 36 MTT cases and found additional 8 cases from the SEER program for final analyses. Our results showed that MTT is typically seen in adult females. These neoplasms were associated with an aggressive clinical course with high rates of extrathyroidal extension (80%) and nodal involvement (62%). During follow-up, the development of recurrence and metastases were common (42% and 46%, respectively), and one-third of patients died at the last follow-up. Large tumor size (p = 0.022) and the presence of metastases during follow-up (p = 0.008) were associated with a higher mortality rate. In conclusion, our study demonstrated the characteristic features of MTT patients and outlined some parameters associated with a negative outcome which could help clinicians better predict the clinical course of these neoplasms.


2020 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Pedro Antonio Madero-Morales ◽  
Rigoberto Pallares-Méndez ◽  
Rodrigo Romero-Mata ◽  
Guillermo Vizcarra-Mata ◽  
Andrés Guillén-Lozoya

Background: Acute bacterial nephritis is an infectious process diagnosed through imaging studies. The clinical course of the disease has been shown to be more aggressive than acute pyelonephritis. It continues to be underdiagnosed, thus there are few studies on the entity in the literature. Objective: To describe the clinical characteristics and imaging features of acute bacterial nephritis, as well as its clinical course. Design: A descriptive, retrospective case series was conducted. Materials and methods: Thirty-two cases of acute bacterial nephritis in patients admitted to the hospital within the time frame of 2009 to 2016 were reviewed. The patients’ clinical characteristics upon admission were registered, as well as inpatient clinical progression, culture results, and antibiotic therapy response. The imaging studies were re-evaluated and the diagnostic consistency with either the focal or multifocal disease presentation was confirmed. Results: Cases predominated in women (n=29, 90.62%) and the most frequently associated comorbidities were diabetes (n=16, 50%) and obesity (n=9, 28.25%). The most important clinical findings upon admission were fever (n=15, 46.87%) and leukocytosis (n=27, 84.38%). Escherichia coli was the most commonly isolated bacterium (63.63%). Both acute focal bacterial nephritis and acute multifocal bacterial nephritis were observed in 46.87% (n=15) and 53.13% (n=17) of the patients, respectively. Imaging studies were required for all diagnoses. Conclusion: Fever and leukocytosis are the main findings in acute bacterial nephritis. Imaging studies are necessary for making the diagnosis, given that acute pyelonephritis and acute bacterial nephritis cannot be clinically differentiated.


Author(s):  
AG Florendo-Cumbermack ◽  
MW Nicolle

Background: Distal/asymmetric presentations of myasthenia gravis (MG) are uncommon and occur in 3-7% of patients with MG. This pattern of weakness is often not recognized as a manifestation of MG, leading to inappropriate investigations, delayed diagnosis and potentially missed opportunities for treatment. Our knowledge about this atypical presentation is limited to small case series and individual case reports. This study therefore aims to expand our understanding by describing the clinical course, diagnosis and treatment of a larger series of patients with this presentation. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with definite MG (either acetylcholine receptor [AChR] or MuSK antibody positive or clear evidence of postsynaptic neuromuscular junction dysfunction on electrodiagnostic studies), who attended the MG Clinic in London. Details of the clinical course, electrodiagnostic studies, antibody testing and response to treatment are reported. Results: 5.9% (54/921) of patients with definite MG had distal/asymmetric limb involvement, 56% at onset and 4% developing more than 10 years later. Males predominated (2:1). Finger extensors were most affected. 83% were AChR antibody positive. 7% had thymomas. On repetitive nerve stimulation most patients showed the most significant decrement distally on the more affected side. Almost all patients improved with treatment. Conclusions: This study expands our understanding of distal/asymmetric presentations of MG.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (12) ◽  
pp. 2647-2657
Author(s):  
Zoya Morani ◽  
Saumil Patel ◽  
Sudeshna Ghosh ◽  
Falah Abu Hassan ◽  
Shriya Doreswamy ◽  
...  

AbstractPatients with COVID-19 present with a myriad of comorbidities. An immunocompromised state like HIV in patients with COVID-19 can be life-threatening. We searched PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science for case reports and case series about COVID-19 in HIV patients. We finally reviewed 20 case reports including cases of 43 patients with HIV and COVID-19. The mean age of 43 adult patients was 51.56 ± 27.56 years (range 24–76 years). Of these, 30 were male (69.77%), 11 were female (25.58%), and 2 were transgender (4.65%). A total of 25 patients (58.14%) were above 50 years of age. The most common cardiovascular comorbidities were hypertension and hyperlipidemia (48.8%), diabetes (20.93%), and morbid obesity (11.63%). Out of 43 HIV patients with COVID-19, 6 resulted in death (13.95%). All the patients who died were elderly above 50 years and required mechanical ventilation. HIV patients infected with COVID-19 had a high mortality rate. A high burden of pre-existing comorbidities and an advanced age in these patients make them prone to disease progression and worse outcomes.


Author(s):  
Shashi Kant Dhir ◽  
Jogender Kumar ◽  
Jitendra Meena ◽  
Praveen Kumar

Abstract Objective The objective of this study is to systematically synthesize the currently available literature on various modes of transmission (congenital, intrapartum, and postpartum), clinical features and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in neonates. Methods We conducted a comprehensive literature search using PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science until 9 June 2020. A combination of keywords and MeSH terms, such as COVID-19, coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, 2019-nCoV, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, neonates, newborn, infant, pregnancy, obstetrics, vertical transmission, maternal–foetal transmission and intrauterine transmission, were used in the search strategy. We included studies reporting neonatal outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 proven pregnancies or neonatal cases diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results Eighty-six publications (45 case series and 41 case reports) were included in this review. Forty-five case series reported 1992 pregnant women, of which 1125 (56.5%) gave birth to 1141 neonates. A total of 281 (25%) neonates were preterm, and caesarean section (66%) was the preferred mode of delivery. Forty-one case reports describe 43 mother-baby dyads of which 16 were preterm, 9 were low birth weight and 27 were born by caesarean section. Overall, 58 neonates were reported with SARS-CoV-2 infection (4 had a congenital infection), of which 29 (50%) were symptomatic (23 required ICU) with respiratory symptoms being the predominant manifestation (70%). No mortality was reported in SARS-CoV-2-positive neonates. Conclusion The limited low-quality evidence suggests that the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infections in neonates is extremely low. Unlike children, most COVID-positive neonates were symptomatic and required intensive care. Postpartum acquisition was the commonest mode of infection in neonates, although a few cases of congenital infection have also been reported.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 85 (6) ◽  
pp. E975-E991 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Shelby Burks ◽  
Ross C Puffer ◽  
Iahn Cajigas ◽  
David Valdivia ◽  
Andrew E Rosenberg ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND Synovial sarcoma of the nerve is a rare entity with several cases and case series reported in the literature. Despite an improved understanding of the biology, the clinical course is difficult to predict. OBJECTIVE To compile a series of patients with synovial sarcoma of the peripheral nerve (SSPN) and assess clinical and pathological factors and their contribution to survival and recurrence. METHODS Cases from 2 institutions collected in patients undergoing surgical intervention for SSPN. Systematic review including PubMed and Scopus databases were searched for related articles published from 1970 to December 2018. Eligibility criteria: (1) case reports or case series reporting on SSPN, (2) clinical course and/or pathological features of the tumor reported, and (3) articles published in English. RESULTS From patients treated at our institutions (13) the average follow-up period was 3.2 yr. Tumor recurrence was seen in 4 cases and death in 3. Systematic review of the literature yielded 44 additional cases with an average follow-up period of 3.6 yr. From pooled data, there were 10 recurrences and 7 deaths (20% and 14%, respectively). Adjuvant treatment used in 62.5% of cases. Immunohistochemical markers used in diagnosis varied widely; the most common are the following: Epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), cytokeratin, vimentin, cluster of differentiation (CD34), and transducin-like enhancer of split 1 (TLE1). Statistical analysis illustrated tumor size and use of chemotherapy to be negative predictors of survival. No other factors, clinically or from pathologist review, were correlated with recurrence or survival. CONCLUSION By combining cases from our institution with historical data and performing statistical analysis we show correlation between tumor size and death.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 204209862092248
Author(s):  
Sunil Shrestha ◽  
Krisha Danekhu ◽  
Bhuvan KC ◽  
Subish Palaian ◽  
Mohamed Izham Mohamed Ibrahim

Background: Bibliometric analyses have been used previously to study the measures of quality and impact of research performed in several health-related areas such as adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and pharmacovigilance (PV), etc. This method can assess the research performance of publications quantitatively and statistically. There is no evidence of bibilometric studies analyzing ADRs and PV from Nepal. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess scientific output on ADRs and PV-related research activities in Nepal using a bibliometric analysis of publications from 2004 January to December 2018, that is, 15 years. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus and Nepal Journal Online (NepJOL) databases. ‘Adverse Drug Reactions‘ or ‘ADRs‘ or ‘ADR‘ or ‘Adverse drug reaction‘ or ‘AE‘ or ‘Adverse Event‘ or ‘Drug-Induced Reaction‘ or ‘Pharmacovigilance‘ or ‘PV‘ and ‘Nepal‘. The search covered 15 years (January 2004 to December 2018) of study on ADRs and PV in Nepal. Only articles retrieved from databases were included, whereas published/unpublished drug bulletins, pharmacy newsletters and thesis were excluded. The articles thus retrieved were recorded, and thereafter analyzed. Word count code was used for the analysis of keywords used in the retrieved articles. Results: A total of 124 articles were retrieved, with the highest rate of publications in 2006 and 2007, with 16 papers each. Among the articles, 10 (8.1%) were published in Kathmandu University Medical Journal (KUMJ). Single papers were published in 38 different journals. Brief reports (1.6%), case reports (31.2%), case series (0.8%), education forums (0.8%), letters to the editor (5.6%), original research articles (41.9%), review articles (9.7%), short communications and short reports (8.1%) on ADRs and PV were recorded. Out of 124 papers, 52 (41.9%) were original research publications. The majority (74.1%) of research was done in the category of ADR incidence, types, prevention, and management, followed by policy and suggestions for strengthening national and regional pharmacovigilance centers of Nepal (14.5%). Conclusions: During the study years, there was an increase in scientific publications on drug safety. A total of 124 published articles were found during bibliometric analysis of ADRs and PV research activities in Nepal.


Author(s):  
Sharen Lee ◽  
Justin Leung ◽  
Jiandong Zhou ◽  
Kamalan Jeevaratnam ◽  
Ishan Lakhani ◽  
...  

Introduction: Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is a rare cardiac ion channelopathy. The aim of this study is to examine the genetic basis and identify predictive factors for arrhythmic outcomes of CPVT patients from China. Methods: PubMed and MedRxiv were systematically searched for case reports or case series reporting on CPVT patients from China. Clinical characteristics, genetic findings and primary outcome of spontaneous ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF) were analyzed. Results: A total of 56 (median presentation age=9 [6-13] years old) patients were included. All patients except for one presented at or before 19 years of age. Fifty-three patients (94.6%) were initially symptomatic. PVCs were present in 40 out of 45 patients (88.9%) and VT in 51 out of 56 patients (91.1%). Genetic tests were performed in 50 patients (89.3%). RyR2, CASQ2 and TERCL mutations were found in 32 (57.1%), 11 (19.6%) and one (0.02%) patients, respectively. Fifty patients were treated with beta-blockers, eight patients received flecainide, four patients received amiodarone, two received verapamil and one received propafenone. Sympathectomy (n=10) and implantable-cardioverter defibrillator implantation (n=7) were performed. On follow-up, 17 patients developed incident VT/VF. Conclusion: This is the first systemic review and meta-analysis of CPVT patients from China. Most patients had symptoms on initial presentation, and around a third had VT as the presenting complaint. RyR2 mutation accounts for more than half of the CPVT cases, followed by CASQ2 and TERCL mutations. Some of these mutations have not been hitherto reported outside of China. Most patients received β-blocker therapy. Around 18% had sympathectomy and 13% had ICDs implanted.


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